Means for producing theatrical stage effects.



PATENTED APR. '7, 1908.

G. W. HANLON. v

APPLICATION IILBD JUNE 14, 1907 MEANS FOR PRODUCING THEATRIOAL STAGE EFFECTS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. HANLON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO IMPERIAL CURTAIN COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 7, 1908.

Application filed June 14 1907. Serial No. 378,977.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HANLON, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Producing Theatrical Stage Effects; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention contemplates the provi- I sion of a novel appliance or mechanism for producing a theatrical stage effect.

Broadly stated, the idea comprehends a plurality of relatively stationary elements mounted upon a rotary platform and e uipped with panels or vanes of varying co ors. The rapid rotation of the platform produces an outline or design effect according to the shape of the relatively stationary elements, as, when the latter consist of rings or hoops a spherical formation is produced, while the colors of the panels or vanes carried by the rings create a kaleidoscopic efiiect. In the present instance the shape and colors are designed to create an imitation of a soap bubble, within whichspace is provided for a dance or other performance.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 shows the entire mechanism in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view. Fig. 3 is a modification.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a base or pedestal designed to be placed on a stage or platform and suitably covered so that it and its complementary mechanical elements may be concealed. For this purpose the base or pedestal may be placed beneath the stage or platform through an opening in the latter so that only its top will be visible to the audience.

2 designates a horizontally disposed platform mounted on the base or pedestal and designed to rotate upon hub 2' thereof, a vertical shaft 3 passing through the platform and supported by the pedestal as at 4. The platform 2 is of size sulficient to permit a performer to stand upon it, and if desired a stationary flooring 45* above the platform may be provided by supporting such flooring upon a collar 5 through which the shaft 3 extends, a sleeve 6 supporting the collar and extending into the pedestal and secured thereto as shown in Fig. 3.

Any appropriate means may be employed for imparting rotary motion to the platform 2. I have shown the platform equipped with a gear wheel 7 designed to mesh with a pinion 8 which may be operated by a belt or otherwise.

9 designates the elements which are movable with the platform and whose formation and color produce the kaleidoscopic effect. I have shown these elements in the form of hoops or rings one within the other and set at right angles and suitably secured to the platform 2 and to the top of the shaft 3. Each of these hoops or rings carries a series of vanes or plates 10 of varying colors such as red, blue, yellow and silver, the correspondingly colored plates of each ring being so disposed relatively to each other that in the rapid rotation of the hoops or rings a kaleidoscopic effect is produced similar to the colors and formation of a soap bubble. Within this bubble illusion a performer may dance or otherwise act upon the moving.

platform 2 or the stationary flooring illustrated in Fig. 3.

I claim as my invention 1. In a device for creating the illusion of a whirling kaleidoscopic sphere for theatrical stage effects, a rotary platform or support, a varicolored ring or hoop vertically mounted on and movable with said platform or support, and means for rotating said platform.

2. The herein described device for 'producing a theatrical stage effect, comprising a rotary platform or support, a plurality of hoops or rings mounted on and movable with said platform, said hoops or rings being each varicolored and relatively stationary, and means for rotating said platform.

3. The herein described device for producing a theatrical stage effect, comprising a rotary platform or support, two rings or hoops set at right angles to each other and mounted on and movable with said platform, and means for rotating said platform, each of said rings carrying a series of plates or vanes of various colors, for the purpose stated.

4. The herein described device for producing a theatrical stage effect, comprising a base or pedestal, a horizontally disposed In testimony whereof, I have signed this platform or support mounted on said base, a specification in the presence of tWo subscrib- 10 shaft extending through said platform and ing Witnesses.

mounted in said base, a plurality of hoops or rings secured to said platform and to said GEORGE HANLON' shaft, said hoops or rings carrying varicol- Witnesses: ored plates or vanes, and means for rotating GRAFTON L. MoGILL,

said platform and hoops or rings, ALICE D. LIND. 

